He has ventured far and wide gathering ideas and influences, yet the Irvington neighborhood always feels like home. Lance’s heart is planted squarely within Portland. His spirit resides in all stylish, well-designed homes, from whatever period and in any neighborhood. One of Lance’s abiding desires is to see everyone in a domestic surrounding that soothes and inspires at the same time that it represents their individuality. Lance is never happier than when he can help his clients put a personal stamp on their home. He wants his clients to know they’ve acquired more than just a nice new house; he wants them to feel deeply that they’ve found their house.

Lance’s style and intuition are easy to trust. His own style has been influenced by film, music, literature, and travel. He has spent nearly two decades working as a principal broker and commercial real estate developer in Portland and coastal Oregon.

“The house is a textbook example of Arts and Crafts architecture,” which celebrates natural materials and skilled handiwork, says Lance Marrs.“Buyers with an appreciation of the style, size and setting in one of Portland’s premier neighborhoods will not be disappointed. It’s an entertainer’s home with grand rooms and a floor plan with great flow.”

A sense of order on shelving, in drawers and in closets is a detail that stands out to potential buyers. “Take the time to color coordinate and thin out your closets prior to any public viewing,” suggests Lance Marrs, principal broker at Living Room Realty in Portland Oregon.

Lance Marrs, principal broker at Living Room Realty in Portland, OR, puts it this way: “Formal living rooms are, well, formal, and very few of my clients desire formalities in the design and functionality of the living room.”

What renovations have been done? “Inquire what major improvements were completed during the owner’s tenure,” Lance Marrs, a broker with Living Room Realty in Portland, Oregon, says. “Less is more, but the responses are telling.”

“Do your homework. Local knowledge is everything when considering the purchase of a vacation home,” says Lance Marrs, broker at Living Room Realty in Portland, Oregon.”If you’re purchasing a newly built vacation home, in addition to having it inspected during the inspection period of the sale, check references for the builder and their subcontractors to see if the builder typically builds in that area, specifically if it’s a coastal climate,” he says.

“If you are selling and moving out of state, it’s pretty straightforward. If you are trying to sell and stay here, it’s a sticky wicket,” said Lance Marrs, a principal broker with Living Room Realty. “There continues to be a traffic jam.”

“Portland’s creative class works hard and plays hard! Their home life needs to be simple, easy, and stress-free. White walls, modern appliances, quality lighting, smart thermostats, and low voltage wiring are what everybody’s looking for in their new Portland home!”

“Homes have souls. I truly believe this. You can tell upon entry whether or not the owner gets it. The details, both seen and unseen, are what make for a great home.”

Delicious Food in Your Fridge. “It’s the quick grab-and-go items these naughty elves seem most attracted to,” Marrs notes. No one’s saying you need to go all Mother Hubbard before a showing. Instead, he suggests, tidy up your fridge to the nth degree. The neater and more organized it is, he says, the less inclined food thieves are to mess it up. “And,” Marrs adds, “it’s easier for you to know what’s missing.”

Make Sure the Windows are Sparkling. “Lance Marrs, a broker with Portland-based Living Room Realty, says dirty windows are one of those quick fixes that can save you from a poor first impression. “Cleaning the windows inside and out will dramatically improve the viewing experience for the buyer,” he said. Don’t forget that windows play an important role in the photos used in your home’s listings, too. “It’s critical that window cleaning is completed prior to professional photography taking place,” Marrs said.

“The placement of the TV is often a point of contention, as are what to do with bonus rooms,” says Lance Marrs, principal broker at Living Room Realty in Portland, OR. “Lower levels of a home can often be deemed perfect for a ‘cave’ of some sort, but viewed as the prefect creative space for the other.”

“My advice is to not look on it as buying your “forever home.” Consider it an investment, a starter home that will pay you dividends over the long haul. You could be creative and purchase a duplex, renting out the second unit to help cover your mortgage. You could be more of a dreamer and buy a fixer-upper and do most of the work yourself. Or, you could buy a smaller house in an up-and-coming neighborhood to minimize your financial exposure.”

“It’s good form and arguably respectful to take the time to remove your shoes when viewing an open house,” says Lance Marrs, a broker in Portland, Oregon. Doing so will show the agent you respect the property—and give you a small edge up against other buyers.”

“A home that is immaculate, well maintained and thoughtfully presented will create more buzz and get you top dollar. If your home is already in tiptop shape, consider these cosmetic upgrades to kick it up a notch and create that “Wow” factor. They may require a bit more than elbow grease, but will no doubt provide you a return on investment.

“Our state offers a wide variety of potential lifestyles. Living in Portland we are fortunate to have nationally recognized restaurants, housewares shops that cater to seemingly every homeowner’s needs and wants, forward-minded residents who care about the environment, and city aesthetics. I could go on and on, as I love my city.”